From: Mason, Kimberly J. [kjmason@TexasChildrensHospital.org]
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 8:59 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: More research in Type 1 Diabetes Needed!!!!
Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) is not as prevalent as Type 2 Diabetes. However, those living with T1DM are faced with "managing" their disease for the large majority of their life or else? No matter how well the blood sugars are controlled (considering the current technology), eventually, most people with T1DM will develop complications despite them doing the best they can do. This is because the best is not good enough!!!! Common sense will tell you that if the blood sugar is elevated even just "some of the time", this is abnormal for the human body. The person with T1DM is constantly battling blood sugars to keep them in control. Even though technology has improved things considerably, alot of progress remains to be discovered. Diabetes education was my career path for the past 11 years. I have taught adults and children about both types of diabetes. We are basically teaching the same information now that we were teaching 11 years ago!!!!! This is ridiculus considering how technology is advancing. The development of new medications or procedures to improve the lives of those with T1DM is definitely lacking in a big way. After much thought and a commitment to a lengthy commute to work (2 hours each way), I have decided to switch gears and move into research in T1DM.
The main reason I did this is because I felt that I no longer could teach the same information year after year to parents of children newly diagnosed with diabetes. Hopefully one day, this will be obsolete (diabetes education in children with T1DM). Over and over I have heard that if you control your blood sugars, you will live a long and healthy life. However, this does not always hold true. After controlling my diabetes for 22 years, I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease at the age of 32. Compared to alot of people with T1DM, I am very conscientious about taking care of myself and very educated in regards to diabetes care. To say the least, this diagnosis came as a total shock. Alot of healthcare providers seem to think that people with diabetes "earn their complications" because they do not take care of themselves properly. There are so many factors beyond the person's control besides "good blood sugars" that cause complications with T1DM (the whole autoimmune dysfunction needs to be studied more). Please consider increasing funds for diabetes research (especially for T1DM). The future could be much more healthy and optimistic for those children who are being diagnosed as you read this. These children have the same aspirations that you and your children have/had when growing up. I plan to work hard for as long as I can to help find improvements for all people with diabetes. I know there is lot of progress that needs to be made and I plan to be a part of it!!!!!
Sincerely,
Kim
Kim Mason, RN, BSN, CDE
Texas Childrens Hospital CCC
6621 Fannin, St. 1020.05
Houston, TX 77030
832-822-1010
832-825-3903 Fax